Category: Bedford

Motorists have been warned to ‘expect delays’12:09, 05 Jul 2026Updated 12:16, 05 Jul 2026Bedfordshire Police are at the scene of the crash (stock image)(Image: Cambridge News)Emergency services are at the scene of a “serious” collision on a busy road near Cambridgeshire. There has been a collision along the A421 diversion route towards St Neots on Sunday, July 5.This was reported at around 11.40am this morning. National Highways said Bedfordshire Police are leading at the scene of the crash on Little Barford Road in Bedfordshire.Motorists travelling on the A421 and A1 have been affected and are warned to “expect delays”. Bedfordshire Police have been approached for comment.A spokesperson for National Highways said: “Travelling #A421 #A1 #BlackCat today. Please be aware that there has been a serious collision on the diversion route.”@bedspolice are leading at the scene of the collision on #LittleBarford road. Further updates to follow.”

A police officer has pleaded not guilty to causing death by careless driving after a pedestrian was killed five years ago.PC Philip Duthie, 41, has been charged with causing the death of 27-year-old Kimberley Cameron on the A41 Bicester Road in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, in April 2021.At the hearing at the Old Bailey in London, the prosecution said the Thames Valley Police officer was responding to an emergency call and his view had been obstructed by a van as Cameron, 27, crossed the road.Duthie, of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, was granted unconditional bail and a trial date has been set for 5 January 2027.Judge Simon Mayo KC scheduled a further pre-trial hearing for 20 July.In October 2022, an inquest jury concluded that Cameron’s death was the result of a road-traffic collision.The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it carried out a reinvestigation in 2023 after “considering new evidence from the inquest into her death”.In 2025, it sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service who “authorised the charge of causing death by careless driving contrary to section 2B of the Road Traffic Act 1988”, it added.Cameron’s parents, Kevin and Liane Cameron, had described their daughter as “an amazing young woman, who took every opportunity in life to push her limits and live life to the full”.Thames Valley Police has previously said that Duthie was on restricted duties.Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.More on this storyRelated internet links

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has celebrated two decades since its formation.

On Wednesday, July 1, the Trust marked 20 years since it was first established through the merger of three services: Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Ambulance and Paramedic Service NHS Trust, East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust, and Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Simon Chase, Chief Paramedic and Director of Quality at EEAST – who witnessed the 2006 merger first-hand – has worked for the ambulance service for more than 30 years.

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He said: “The ambulance service has changed significantly over the past 20 years and continues to evolve, adapt and improve. What has remained constant is the dedication of our staff in serving their communities, many of whom… have devoted decades to the ambulance service and experienced its transformation first-hand.”
One person who has been part of that journey from the very beginning is paramedic Brent Sylvester. Now a Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officer (HALO), Brent transferred from Essex Ambulance Service at the time of the merger.

He said: “I love the job today as much as I did when I first started with the Essex Ambulance Service in 1986. You experience both wonderful and difficult moments, but that is all part of the role. Making a difference to patients’ lives, at some of the best and worst times, is incredibly rewarding.”

Brent admitted he had seen much change over the course of his working life: “The ambulance service has changed so much during my career, and the care we provide today is more advanced than ever and continues to improve.”

Since 2006, EEAST has worked in close partnership with the region’s three air ambulance charities: East Anglian Air Ambulance, Magpas Air Ambulance and Essex & Herts Air Ambulance:

Dr Simon Lewis MBE, Executive Medical Director of Magpas said: “EEAST isn’t simply a partner to Magpas Air Ambulance, they’re part of the foundation on which everything we do is built. Operating alongside EEAST crews every single day, our partnership runs far deeper than shared geography; at every level of our organisations, we share a common goal of improving outcomes for patients by providing outstanding pre-hospital care 24/7.
“As EEAST marks this milestone, Magpas Air Ambulance is proud to be part of its story.”

In a new list by Love Exploring, the outlet names English county gems, featuring spots in Bedfordshire, Berkshire and Middlesex.

Explaining why the list was curated, Love Exploring shares, “To help you discover these lesser-known treasures, we’ve selected and ranked what, in our opinion, are the most under-the-radar delights from each of England’s 39 historic counties”.

You can see the full list of England’s underrated towns via Love Exploring.

Hertfordshire town named among England’s most underrated

In Hertfordshire, Tring was featured on the list, earning the 15th overall spot.

Sharing why it was named, Love Exploring writes, “This under-the-radar market town has a surprising amount to offer, helped in no small part by its connections with the wealthy Rothschild family.

“Having purchased Tring Park in the 19th century, the family went on to build new houses in the town in a characteristic old English style.

“Lionel Walter Rothschild also established Tring’s very own Natural History Museum.

“Both the museum and park, now operated by the Woodland Trust, are open to the public.

“Literary types should head to Tring in November for the town’s book festival”.

Tring is described as a “pretty town” with a strong “wealth of independently run shops, cafés, bars and restaurants” by the Chilterns National Landscape.

One of the town’s highest-rated restaurants is the Italian spot Storia, which has a Google Reviews rating of 4.7 out of 5, with one guest writing: “Friendly service, really good food, especially for the price.”

Surrounded by countryside, Tring Park is one of the town’s largest green spaces. It has a mix of woodland and open parkland that was landscaped by Charles Bridgeman in the 18th century.

Collage Lake Nature Reserve is described as Tring’s best-kept secret. Set just outside of town, the former chalk quarry is now a haven for wildlife.

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Tring is also home to a branch of the Natural History Museum, built in 1889, which houses the private collections of Walter Rothschild, who was a keen zoologist.

After Walter’s death, the building and collections were gifted to the nation, seeing it become a part of the National History Museum.

Have you visited Tring? What did you think of it? Let us know in the comments.

“I noticed a large crab and thought it was a bit strange,” Birch, 57, told BBC Three Counties Radio presenter Andy Collins.He added: “We’re assuming someone went crabbing and thought it was a bright idea to bring them home with them.”Now, somehow, they’re in my garden.”More from Beds, Herts and BucksThe mystery of how the crabs arrived in Biggleswade, a market town 11 miles south-east of Bedford and nowhere near the coast, has captivated locals.Three other crabs were discovered dead in Hitchin Street.”I was in the petrol station earlier and people were talking about it,” Birch added.Ricky Watson, who found two of the sea-dwellers in a road, said: “I did think, ‘It’s a bit odd really, this far from the sea’.”Another passer-by saw a crab in the gutter and thought it had come out of a dustbin.

Police have released doorbell footage as part of the searchAuthor: Shaunna BurnsPublished 7 hours agoThe mother of a 14-year-old girl missing from Houghton Regis, is pleading for her return as police release doorbell footage in hopes of uncovering new leads.Lexi disappeared on 24th June, and concerns for her wellbeing have since heightened. In an emotional appeal, her mum expressed, “Lexi please come home. You are missed by all your family; home is not the same without you.” Offering assurance, she added, “You are loved and not in any trouble. We just want you here safe.” Lexi is described as 5’2″ with a fair complexion, blue eyes, long straight ginger hair, and a silver nose ring. She was last seen wearing pale blue cycling shorts, a dark grey t-shirt, and black sliders. Bedfordshire Police have released footage captured by a Ring doorbell camera from the day before Lexi’s disappearance. Detective Chief Superintendent Zara Brown urged the public, “We are growing increasingly concerned for Lexi’s welfare and safety. We are releasing the last footage we currently have of her in the hope it triggers someone’s memory, or they are able to recognise her.” Authorities are appealing for anyone who has seen Lexi or has information on her whereabouts to come forward. “Lexi – please contact us. This has been an agonising time for your friends and family, and we want you to return home safe and well,” Brown added.Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

A charity worker killed in a road crash was “beautiful on the inside and out”, her family has said.Bedfordshire Police said Marian Bicknell was a pedestrian when the collision happened on the southbound B658, near Broom, at 20:30 BST on Sunday. She died at the scene.It involved a black and red Aprilia motorcycle and its rider, a man in his 20s, remained in hospital with serious injuries, the force added.Her family said the 55-year-old, known as Maz, was an “incredibly special” woman who worked for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in Sandy.”Maz was an incredibly special person, so bright and intelligent,” the family said in a statement.”She was full of life, laughter, love and kindness.”Maz was beautiful on the inside and out. Her smile; contagious. Maz was so caring and will be sorely missed forever by everyone who was blessed to know her.”The RSPB said the senior administrator had been an “integral” member of staff for many years, “helping and supporting our conservation teams and was a powerhouse of knowledge and positivity”.”She will be very much missed,” a spokesperson added.Det Con Kevin Drury, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Serious Collision Investigation Unit, appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.”We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have dashcam footage that could assist our investigation,” he added.The village of Broom is located about two to three miles south-west of Biggleswade.Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.Related internet links

Hertfordshire county councillors have agreed to a pay increase for the executive director for growth and environment to stay competitive in the jobs market.The current salary range for the role is £137,729 to £154,740 – with the current holder reported to be at the top of that wage bracket.At the latest meeting of the council’s employment committee (June 19), councillors agreed that the current salary be increased by £5,590 – and that the range available for the position should be increased, to a maximum of £167,864.County Hall, HertfordAt the meeting, it was reported that the role was currently paid the least of the county council’s executive directors.It was reported that benchmarking showed the average salary amongst the top five comparable councils – including Essex, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Kent – was £166,000.And it was reported that Essex County Council has recently advertised for an executive director of place and customer with a salary of “up to £179,000”.

Celebrating success stories

The SME Bedfordshire Business Awards are all about celebrating the people and organisations that make Bedfordshire’s business community so special. Every year, we are inspired by the quality of entries and the stories behind them, and this year has been no exception.

Our winners and finalists represent the very best of Bedfordshire business. They are creating jobs, supporting communities, driving innovation and helping to shape a stronger future for our county. On behalf of the Chamber team, congratulations to everyone recognised this evening.

We would also like to thank our Headline Sponsor, Essential Workwear, together with all of our category sponsors, judges and partners. Their continued support enables us to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Bedfordshire businesses year after year.

Whether you are a start-up taking your first steps, a growing SME or an established employer, the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase your achievements and gain recognition among your peers.

Could your business be in the spotlight next year?

To find out more about Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce membership, events and business support services, call 01582 522448 or visit their website.

Police are appealing for the publics helpAuthor: Shaunna BurnsPublished 9 hours agoBedfordshire Police are appealing to the public to help to locate Lexi, a missing 14-year-old from Houghton Regis.Lexi has not been seen since Wednesday, 24th June, and there are growing concerns for her well-being. She is described as 5’2″ with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and long ginger hair. Lexi has a silver nose ring and was last seen wearing pale blue cycling shorts, a dark grey t-shirt, and black sliders. Detective Chief Superintendent Zara Brown expressed increasing concern for Lexi’s safety, urging anyone with information to come forward. Brown directly appealed to Lexi, asking her to contact the police, emphasizing the distress her absence is causing to loved ones, and ensuring a safe return home. People who have seen Lexi are encouraged to call 999 immediately.Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.